Make the Move, Not the Mistake: Navigating Property Deals in Spain
- Eva Walstad
- Dec 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Seller broker, Buyer broker – and who ACTUALLY gets paid
If you’re used to the real estate market in Norway or the rest of Scandinavia, you probably expect a clear, regulated system: one listing, one broker, full transparency.
On the Costa del Sol, things work a little differently.
The market here is fragmented, relationship-driven, and often confusing for foreign buyers. But once you understand the basic structure – especially the roles of seller brokers and buyer brokers, and how commission works – the system becomes much easier to navigate.
And that’s exactly what we help our clients with every day at 63ºNO.
We search. We coordinate. We protect. You decide.
The Basics: Two Sides, Two Brokers
In most transactions here, there are two roles involved:
The Seller Broker (Listing Agent)
Represents the seller.
Their goal? Achieve the best possible price and terms – for the seller.
The Buyer Broker (That’s Where We Normally Come In, although we also can be seller agent)
Represents you as the buyer.
Our role is to search across the market, coordinate the process, and protect your interests.
The two brokers typically collaborate, not compete. They have different roles, different responsibilities.
They agree to share the commission paid by the seller. This is a well-established, standard practice on the Costa del Sol.
One Market – Many Listings (and Many Brokers)
Unlike Norway’s Finn.no or Sweden’s Hemnet, there is no official central MLS system here.
Instead:
Properties are listed by multiple agencies.
The same property often appears on several platforms.
You might find different prices, descriptions, and contact details for the same home.
It’s chaotic from the outside – and that’s exactly why buyers need someone who understands how it really works.
The Seller Broker/ Agent: Working for the Seller
The seller broker:
Has a contract with the seller.
Markets the property and manages inquiries.
Advises on pricing – in the seller’s interest.
They’re often helpful and professional, but they are not neutral.
Their duty is to the seller. Their loyalty and financial incentive are tied to getting the highest possible price on the seller’s terms.The Seller Broker often says that they have a «exclusive listing» og «sole listing».
That doesn’t mean that they are the ones who must sell this property.It just means the seller has chosen one agency to represent their interests.The Seller Agent, then can choose to put the property on to a broker site, so different buyer agencies can advertise the property on their own sites.
The Buyer Broker: Working for You
As your buyer broker, our job is to:
Search the entire market – not just one agency’s listings.
Contact listing agents and developers on your behalf.
Coordinate viewings, negotiations, and due diligence.
Advise you on pricing, quality, area, and risks.
Ensure you're not overpaying or walking into unnecessary exposure.
In short: we bring structure, clarity, and protection to your buying process.
We act as real estate and investment advisors. In some cases, we also act as your broker. In others, we simply connect you with the right specialists – whether it’s legal counsel, tax advisors, or other agents. We’re your advocate, not a sales channel.
Commission: Who Pays What?
This is where many foreign buyers get confused – and where mistakes are made.
Here’s how it really works:
The seller pays the full sales commission – typically 5–6% + IVA (Spanish VAT).
That commission is:
Kept entirely by the seller broker if no buyer broker is involved.
Split between seller broker and buyer broker when there are two parties.
For you as a buyer:
It rarely costs you anything extra to have a buyer broker.
But it can cost you a lot not to.
Without a broker representing you, you’re essentially flying blind in a fragmented market.
No buyer broker doesn't mean no commission. It just means no one's protecting your interests.
Also read:
Why So Many Buyers Go At It Alone – and Why That’s Risky
Most international buyers start by clicking “Contact Agent” on a portal like Idealista.
What they don’t realize is:
They might be speaking directly to the seller’s broker.
That broker is already working for the seller.
The advice you get is filtered through that lens.
They might contact several agents for the same property
This often leads to:
Multiple conversations with different brokers about the same property.
Confusion about availability, pricing, and negotiation strategy.
A buyer with no one truly on their side – while the seller’s broker walks away with the full commission.
At 63ºNO, our job is simple: represent you, search the entire market, and make sure your interests are protected at every step.
Collaboration, Not Conflict
Despite how it may seem, this isn’t a broken system – it’s just different. And once you understand the dynamics, it works surprisingly well.
The key is collaboration:
The seller broker brings the property.
The buyer broker brings the buyer.
They agree on a fair commission split, paid by the seller.
The transaction moves forward – smoothly and transparently.
For you, this means:
✅ One trusted point of contact
✅ Access to the full market – not just a narrow slice
✅ No need to chase 10 different brokers yourself
How We at 63ºNO Work in This System
At 63ºNO, we work clearly and exclusively on your side as the buyer.
We’re more than just agents. We’re real estate and investment advisors with over 25 years of experience and a Scandinavian background in highly regulated markets. That means we value structure, due diligence, and transparency.
Here’s what we do for our clients:
Represent you independently in the market.
Search across agencies, platforms, and off-market listings.
Connect you with trusted seller brokers, legal professionals, architects, or tax specialists.
Coordinate the full process from search to closing – and beyond.
Sometimes, we act as your broker. Other times, we’re simply the connector, the translator, and the strategist. The goal is always the same: to protect your interests and help you make smart, informed decisions.
Also read:
In Summary
The Costa del Sol market involves two brokers: one for the seller, one for the buyer.
The seller pays the full commission – not you.
Working with a buyer broker like 63ºNO rarely costs you more, but gives you:
Market access
Strategic guidance
Professional representation
Whether you’re planning an investment or a lifestyle move, you deserve to work with someone who:
✔ Understands the system
✔ Knows the players
✔ Is contractually and practically on your side
Need help navigating the Spanish property market?
The 63ºNO team works with both private buyers and investor groups to find, assess, and structure the right deals – on and off the market.
Disclaimer:
The content of this article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date insights based on our experience in the Spanish property market, laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual circumstances may vary.
Before making any decisions related to property purchase, sale, or investment on the Costa del Sol, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified local lawyer or tax advisor. If you do not already have one, we are happy to recommend trusted professionals we work with.
Images used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to represent specific properties, people, or situations referenced in the content.
63ºNO assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the information provided in our articles.
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